Month: May 2020

Trentham trainer Eddie Carson passed away on Tuesday Photo: Race Images Trentham has lost one of its final training stalwarts with the death on Tuesday morning of Edward (Eddie) Carson. After suffering from ill-health in recent years, Carson (87) passed away peacefully at his home in the Mangaroa Valley surrounded by members of his family, including his dear wife of 60 years, Rosaleen. A hard-working Irishman with a broad Irish accent and an infectious smile, Carson became a fixture at Trentham after gaining his owner-trainer’s license on August 1, 1987…

Catalyst led by owner Dick Karreman returning to scale after winning last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Photo: (Race Images CHCH) The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) have announced that the 1000 and 2000 Guineas would remain at Riccarton for the 2020-21 racing season. Considerable work was undertaken with stakeholders while the country was under lockdown, on a proposed calendar for the early part of the 2020-21 racing season.  At the time, there was no indication as to how long travel restrictions might last…

Trainer Jamie Richards will be out to notch a century of wins in New Zealand once racing returns in July Photo: Trish Dunell Premiership-leading trainer Jamie Richards is looking forward to notching the ton when racing recommences in July, after an enforced break at the end of March left him stranded on 99 wins for the season. It was a case of what could have been for Richards, who was sailing along at a great rate and ahead of target with a view to chasing down the record number of…

South Auckland trainer Nigel Tiley. Photo: Trish Dunell Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is pleased to be back at work, but the COVID-19 lockdown period gave him a chance to ponder what his business might look like as we enter a new normal. The champion jockey turned trainer is cognisant that businesses through all walks of life have been hit hard by COVID-19 and issues facing racing in New Zealand have been exacerbated by the economic impact of the virus. “I have had to make some pretty tough decisions,” Tiley said.…

JJason Waddell will plan his spring around Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Jennifer Eccles. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) One of New Zealand’s top big-race jockeys is heading across the Tasman. Cambridge jockey Jason Waddell said he is at a stage in his career where he would like to test his talents in Australia. “I wanted to be a part of the ship that resurrected New Zealand racing, I really did, but sometimes you have got to do what is best for yourself and your family and…